I’d be less concerned about this than the same scenario on a smartphone.

Anything with video and audio recording capability that is connected to the internet can be taken over and used maliciously. Some devices are more difficult to access without authorization than others, but it’s possible with all of them. Add in GPS and you have tracking of movement and location in addition to audio and video.

It’s ripe for abuse, and not just in an official capacity, stalking is a very real concern with bad actors in the private sector and even in your personal life.

Most people are disinclined to even bother understanding it, let alone doing anything about it.

In a year or so I won’t have a TV, so I don’t care. I’m sick of pressing the channel button and making the rounds of the channels over and over again, and finding nothing at all that I can stand, let alone watch. TV is now little more than a propaganda tool to further tear down the little sense of ethics and morality that still remain.

“With this access, hackers can use the Smart TVs built-in camera and microphones to see and hear everything in front of it. Instead of just watching TV, viewers could themselves be watched without knowing it.”

George Orwell is not only rolling over in his grave, he is laughing at us.

Post-It over the camera will take out the video portion of the problem. You could also play Yoko Ono or Nina Hagen music to kill the hearing of the folks gathering the audio. You will need hearing protection for yourself though.